"There was a lot of anger in the locker room about what he did. As a player, you realize more what he did and what is the consequence for the private lives of people involved.

"They were not just a few words. With one sentence, he can touch and hurt a lot of people. I had a lot of support in the locker room, that's for sure."

Wawrinka, who is divorcing his wife of six years, insisted however that the ugly controversy would not derail his preparations for the US Open.

"I know myself, I know how I get ready for a Grand Slam. I know how I deal with everything. I'm sure I'm going to be ready for the US Open," said the double Grand Slam winner.

"It was really important to win this match today. It was not the way I played on the court but the way I fight with little energy that I have. That's the most important.

"For sure I was struggling today to be completely on the court and to fight the way I wanted. It's been some tough days for some people, and it's always difficult to completely focus on the tennis court."

Kyrgios triggered widespread revulsion for his on-court taunt to Wawrinka that fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis had a fling with WTA professional Vekic.

Vekic, 19, finally made her own response after being dropped into the controversy. "It's not easy but I'm trying to focus on tennis and my next match," she told The Province newspaper in Vancouver.

"I haven't spoken to Kyrgios. But it's a very disappointing thing to be happening in our sport and I hope it won't happen again because it's not a very good image for our sport."